Ronald Budler, 49, charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his brother’s girlfriend, is next scheduled to appear in court 3 p.m. July 28.

After a two-part preliminary hearing, a Weld District Court judge Friday afternoon ruled there is enough evidence to go to trial in the case of a Mead man accused of killing his brother's girlfriend.

The hearing of Ronald Budler, 49, who is charged with first-degree murder, picked up where it left off Thursday afternoon, with Budler's attorney, John Walsh, cross-examining Sgt. Aaron Walker of the Weld County Sheriff's Office about his interview with Budler, in which Budler confessed to the killing.

That confession came about noon Sept. 21, 2016, just hours after police discovered Shawna Naimoli, 51, of Thorton, dead with two bullet wounds in her face, and a .22 pump-action rifle across her chest.

Naimoli had been living with her boyfriend, Budler's brother, in a house owned by the brothers' father. At the time police believe the shooting occurred — between 6:45 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. — Budler and Naimoli were the only two people in the house. Police believe Budler put the gun on her chest after he shot her in an effort to make the death look like a suicide.

Much of the argument Friday hinged on whether Budler planned the murder. That's because Budler is charged with first-degree murder after deliberation, and prosecutors will have to prove he planned to kill Naimoli.

"What is lacking here is evidence of deliberation," Walsh said. "There is no evidence he had any ill will toward Shawna. He's suffering … through some severe mental health issues, and he repeatedly said there is no plan."

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Steve Wrenn, one of the prosecutors in the case, disagreed. He pointed out that Naimoli was most likely sleeping when Budler shot her, and also reminded Weld District Judge Julie Hoskins that Naimoli told her boyfriend she was afraid of Budler. He also cited statements Budler had made to Weld County Sheriff's deputies, claiming he intended to shoot other members of the family, then himself.

"This was a failed murder-suicide," he said.

Hoskins agreed there was enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.

Walsh asked for 90 days before Budler's next court appearance.

"We are right in the middle of investigating all the different angles of this case," he said. "Part of the investigation may have to center around Mr. Budler's mental state."

Because of those circumstances, Hoskins allowed for the delay, and set a court date in July.

What’s next

Ronald Budler, 49, charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his brother’s girlfriend, is next scheduled to appear in court 3 p.m. July 28.